Modular drive apparatus
AssigneeLogan Clutch Corporation
InventorsMichael S. Vining, Charles D. Schultz, Stefan Vinca
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A modular drive apparatus includes a gear box (16) with a rotatable internal transmission gear (60). The gear box includes a plurality of body openings (44). The openings may be selectively closed by the installation of cover plates (52, 54). With a cover plate removed, a drive coupler (32, 34, 58, 148) may be extended in the respective opening and mounted in operative connection with the gear box. In the mounted position of the drive coupler, an idler gear (72, 172) engages the ring gear of the gear box. Rotatable power devices such as pumps, motors and generators may be operatively rotatably engaged with the drive coupler.
Claims24
Apparatus comprising:
- a modular drive,
- wherein the drive includes a gear box
- wherein the gear box includes a body that bounds an interior area,
- at least one transmission gear housed in the gear box interior area,
- wherein the body includes a plurality of spaced external body openings,
- wherein the at least one transmission gear is accessible through each body opening,
- wherein the body includes a plurality of body flanges, wherein a body flange extends externally on the body adjacent each respective body opening,
- at least one drive coupler, wherein the at least one drive coupler includes
- a housing,
- wherein the housing includes a base portion,
- wherein the base portion is in releasably fixed operative engagement with a first body flange adjacent a first body opening,
- at least one drive coupler gear,
- wherein the at least one drive coupler gear extends in the first body opening and is in operative engagement with the at least one transmission gear,
- a mounting face,
- wherein the mounting face is in operative connection with the housing and is configured to be in releasable fixed operative engagement external of the body with a first rotatable power device,
- wherein the first rotatable power device is in operative engagement with the mounting face and is in operative rotatable connection with the at least one transmission gear through the at least one drive coupler gear,
- wherein the first rotatable power device is selectively operative at different times to
- consume mechanical power delivered by the at least one transmission gear,
- deliver mechanical power to the at least one transmission gear.
Apparatus comprising:
- a modular drive,
- wherein the drive includes a gear box
- wherein the gear box includes a body that bounds an interior area,
- at least one transmission gear housed in the gear box interior area,
- wherein the body includes a plurality of spaced external body openings,
- wherein the at least one transmission gear is accessible through each body opening,
- wherein the body includes a plurality of drive coupler mounts, wherein a drive coupler mount is adjacent each respective body opening,
- at least one drive coupler, wherein each drive coupler includes
- a housing,
- wherein the housing includes a base portion,
- wherein the base portion is in releasably fixed operative engagement with a drive coupler mount adjacent a respective body opening,
- at least one drive coupler gear,
- wherein the at least one drive coupler gear extends in the respective body opening and is in operative rotational engagement with the at least one transmission gear,
- a mounting face,
- wherein the mounting face is in operative connection with the housing and is configured to be in releasable fixed operative engagement external of the body with a respective rotatable power device,
- wherein the respective rotatable power device is in operative engagement with the mounting face and is in operative rotatable connection with the at least one transmission gear through the at least one drive coupler gear,
- wherein at least one drive coupler and respective rotatable power device is selectively operative at different times to
- consume mechanical power delivered by the at least one transmission gear,
- deliver mechanical power to the at least one transmission gear.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.